Tone
It is important to write formally in a discursive essay. This means you should write in complete sentences, using full words and expressions and standard English. Contractions should be avoided. For example, 'is not' should be used instead of 'isn't'.
It is advisable to try and avoid expressions like 'a lot' or 'lots of'. More formal expressions such as 'many', 'much', 'a number of', or 'numerous' are more suitable for discursive writing.
| Do | Do not use |
| Write in proper, complete sentences | Abbreviations (ie/eg/etc/UK) |
| Use complete words and expressions | Contractions (isn't/don't/won't) |
| Use proper, standard English | Slang (bloke/geezer etc) |
| Colloquial language (mate/bolshy etc) |
| Do | Write in proper, complete sentences |
|---|---|
| Do not use | Abbreviations (ie/eg/etc/UK) |
| Do | Use complete words and expressions |
|---|---|
| Do not use | Contractions (isn't/don't/won't) |
| Do | Use proper, standard English |
|---|---|
| Do not use | Slang (bloke/geezer etc) |
| Do | |
|---|---|
| Do not use | Colloquial language (mate/bolshy etc) |
